If you have been given by the PC emulators or have installed any of the free games that are being given away these days, you have probably thought that you need a gamepad to be able to play on the computer. What if you already had one that you can use? Have you thought about those on Xbox One or PS4? And those of Switch? We are going to tell you how to use them.
How to connect a console controller to a PC
The first thing that you should take into account is that you need a controller with Bluetooth connectivity. In the case of the Dualshock 4 of Playstation and the Switch controls, there is no problem, since all models have this connection, but in the Xbox One controls, the first versions that were put on sale only offered radio frequency connectivity, so you should take it into account.
Use an Xbox One controller on PC
That said, the first step is to identify if you have a compatible Xbox One controller. The detail will be on the upper trim of the remote, just where the guide button is located. If this piece has a shiny finish, the remote control is for the versions with radio frequency, and in that case you will have to use the official Microsoft adapter to connect it to the PC.
- In the event that the remote is a more modern version with a Bluetooth connection, you only have to press and hold the connection button on the remote for a few seconds to start blinking.
- Once the control light is flashing, you should search for new devices in the Bluetooth settings panel of your computer.
- You can search for ” Bluetooth Settings ” in the Windows 10 search bar to find it.
- Once inside, click on Add Bluetooth or another device.
- And then in the first option “Bluetooth”.
- The wizard will begin searching for nearby devices, and the Xbox One Controller should appear among the available options. Select it and you will have connected it.
Using a PlayStation controller on the PC
In the case of the Dualshock 4, there are no major differences compared to the Xbox One. Knowing that any controller is compatible, you only have to start the pairing on the gamepad to be able to link it with the team.
- To do this, press and hold the Share button and the PlayStation button at the same time for 3 seconds until the blue light on the controller begins to flash.
- At that time we will have to search for the device on the PC, and for this you must search for new devices in the Bluetooth settings panel of your computer. You can search for “Bluetooth Settings” in the Windows 10 search bar to access the settings menu.
- Once inside, click on Add Bluetooth or another device.
- And then in the first option “Bluetooth”.
- The wizard will begin searching for nearby devices, and the PlayStation 4 controller should appear among the available options. Select it and you will have connected it.
Can I play with the Switch controls on the PC?
Although they are more strange and special, the Nintendo Switch controls can be used without problems on PC, although you should use them separately, since they work independently as individual controls. In the same way, the Pro Controller is also compatible with a PC since it also has a Bluetooth connection, so we will only have to start pairing them to start playing with them.
- All we have to do is press and hold the sync button until the lights on the remote start to flash. You will find this button in the Joy-Cons at the top between the SL and SR buttons, and in the Switch Pro Controler you will also find it in the highest area near the USB connector.
- Once the lights start flashing it will mean the pairing mode has started so you will have to have the PC find them. How? Once again we will use the Bluetooth configuration panel.
- Once inside, click on Add Bluetooth or another device.
- And then in the first option “Bluetooth”.
- The wizard will begin searching for nearby devices, and the PlayStation 4 controller should appear among the available options. Select it and you will have connected it.